KU baseball starts 3-0 for first time since 2007

Nashville, Tenn.  Kansas University baseball’s team picked up two more victories Saturday to jump out to 3-0 — the best start for KU since it went 5-0 in 2007.

Sophomore Tucker Tharp drove in the go-ahead runs to lead KU over Bowling Green, 3-1, in the first of two games at E.S. Rose Field.

Junior closer Tanner Poppe, who switched over from the starting rotation, picked up his first save of the season.

KU coach Ritch Price was pleased with Poppe’s first save opportunity.

“I couldn’t have been more pleased with pitching in Game One. I thought it was crucial that he (Poppe) got on the field with a game on the line and found a way to close out the opposition,” Price said.

The Jayhawks shut out Belmont, 2-0, behind the arm of Thomas Taylor in the second game.

Taylor took just 89 pitches to get through 81⁄3 scoreless innings. He allowed just three hits and two walks while striking out five.

A pair of freshmen led KU on offense in that game. Michael Suiter was 3-for-3, while Justin Protacio drove in both of the Jayhawks’ runs.

Kansas will play its final game in Nashville at 1 p.m. today against Lipscomb.